If you are not married to the father of your child, the Agency can help you legally determine the identity of the child's father. This process is called "establishing paternity." Establishing paternity guarantees a child's right to receive financial support, medical support, and inheritances from the father.

The length of time it takes to obtain a judgment of paternity depends on what steps will be necessary to complete the process. If genetic testing is requested or ordered to confirm that a man is the father of a child, it can take a month or so to schedule and receive the results. If there is a trial by jury, it may take months to be scheduled and heard by the court.